Are mesenchymal stromal cells from children resistant to apoptosis?

Objectives: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) represent a novel cellular candidate in the field of transplantation and tissue regeneration. Their clinical application requires their in vitro expansion. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of conditions that would favour apoptosis, and of long-term expansion, on the characteristics of MSC from children.

Properties and potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells from children with hematologic diseases.

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have become the focus of cellular therapeutics but little is known regarding bone marrow (BM) MSC derived from children. As MSC constitute part of BM stroma, we examined their properties in children with hematologic diseases.

Methods: BM MSC from children with non-malignant hematologic disorders and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were isolated and expanded.

Adhesion molecules, endogenous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor levels and replating capacity of progenitors in autoimmune neutropenia of childhood.

Aim: To investigate the role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and adhesion molecules and the response of bone marrow to peripheral cytopenia in autoimmune neutropenia of childhood (AIN).

Methods: Thirty-five children with AIN, 25 with acute leukaemia in remission, 10 of whom developed chemotherapy-associated neutropenia, and 28 non-neutropenic age-matched children were studied. The methods included haemopoietic progenitor cells' colony growth, replating of colony-forming unit-granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) of the 7th day and ELISA for the detection of serum levels of cytokines and adhesion molecules.